P. K. Palli, J.— The petitioners were teachers under the employment of respondent No. 1, which is a private school and they were employed on different dates given in para 3 of the writ petition. Their appointment letters have been placed on record as Annexures P/2 and P/3. It is said in the petition that the work and conduct of the petitioners have been throughout excellent and stood appreciated by the respondents. The petitioners have placed on record Annexures P/4 to P/6 in this respect. The admitted position as put forth by the petitioners in para 4 of the petition is that they were being paid consolidated salary. The petitioners were constantly representing to the management for the enhancement of their salaries and that they should be paid adequately and the management ultimately agreed to enhance the salary of the staff to the extent of Rs. 300 per month w. e. f. August 1995. Strangely, nothing in writing was given to the petitioners in respect of the enhancement in their salaries.

2. It is stated that the school closed down for winter vacation on 11th December, 1995 and the petitioners were surprised when they received communication dated 9th December, 1995 addressed